Weekend Update (NICU Days 37-38 (TCN 5-6))

Updating from the weekend... (It's been a busy weekend; we werent even home yesterday at all.)

Friday night, we gave the babies their baths completely unassisted. Peter bathed Maya, who did really well and, although she gave a few false starts, didnt cry a bit. I bathed Bobby. We started off with a cry (we think because the water may have been too warm, so Peter added some cold to it and things were much better) and he let out a cry during the leed removal, but he, too, was a trooper. I dried them both off, which was wonderful. Clean babies!

Bobby and Maya started bottle feeding on Saturday! They had an AWESOME dayshift nurse on Saturday and Sunday who challenged them just enough. It was tiring for them (after all, that all sucking-swallowing-breathing thing is still a challenge!) but they both did a great job! Bobby took in 17% of his feedings for the day and Maya took in 11% of her feedings- not shabby considering they dont start most babies for another week! Bobby topped 4 pounds and Maya is over 3 and a half pounds and catching up. Both are more than happy to fill their diapers (no complaints- it means everything is working).

Sunday, Peter's parents came for a visit in the late afternoon and his dad held the babies for the first time. We fed Maya before they came and she was held second, since I was finishing her bottle. Bobby did a nice job tolerating his hold. He was still fairly asleep but woke up periodically. We traded off when it was Bobby's turn to have to his bottle. He didnt take so well. We all agree he was just too stimulated to eat well, which was a minor setback. In the future, we wont do visits prior to both of them eating. It's just too much. After the visit and while we were having dinner (we had to leave because of shift change), he had a bradycardia spell and she had an apnea spell. :( It was a busy time for them. We came back for the 8pm/9pm visit and they were both out cold. We opted not to breast or bottle feed and the nurse gave them their meal though gavage. We actually left at 8 and I pumped, just because we didnt want to disturb them. We came back at 8:30 and did their care time together, which was nice. They were still tired but once we were finished with the temps and diapers they were more awake. We held them for a little while, until they went back to sleep and were finished with their milk (delivered over half an hour through the pump), and then put them to bed. Bobby had a second outfit change, since he peed all over his outfit while Daddy was changing him. This is funny because he was out of short sleeved onesies due to peeing through his diaper a couple of times, so we dressed him in one of Maya's pink ones! His sleeper is still 100% guy but he's sporting hot pink underneath. I have a bag of laundry to take back and 2 bags of dirty at home. These kids go through it! And they arent even home yet!

Yesterday, Maya's weight was 3lb 11.9 oz and she took in 20% of her feed total by bottle! To quote the email I received this morning, she is doing so well that she will be "busting out of here soon!" From your mouth to God's ear! Bobby's weight was 4lb 2oz and he also took in 20% of his feed total by bottle. Woo Hoo Babies! Keep up the good work!

(more pics)

Today, I am doing the early visit (8am/9am) instead of my normal (11am/12pm) so that I can, possibly, investigate upgrading the Volvo... We shall see. I will probably need a hardcore nap in the middle of the day. I also have 2 pediatricians to call and make consults with. Both are within walking distance of the house... Nice. :)